A silent monument whispers stories at Km 17 in Mannheim. This unassuming marker holds the weight of a pivotal moment in automotive history. Km 17 marks a point along Bertha Benz’s groundbreaking 1888 journey. Bertha, wife of Karl Benz, embarked on the world’s first long-distance automobile road trip. Her journey began in Mannheim and ended in Pforzheim, covering approximately 104 kilometers. Km 17 in Mannheim stands as a testament to her courage and ingenuity. Bertha’s drive wasn’t just a Sunday outing. It was a strategic maneuver to prove the viability of her husband’s invention. The automobile was still in its nascent stages, viewed with skepticism by many. Bertha, believing in its potential, took matters into her own hands. She set off with her two sons, without Karl’s knowledge, to demonstrate the car’s practicality. The journey wasn’t without its challenges. Bertha faced numerous obstacles along the way. She had to overcome technical difficulties, including cleaning the carburetor with her hat pin and using a garter to repair the ignition. She even had to stop at pharmacies to replenish the fuel supply, effectively making those pharmacies the first gas stations in history. Km 17 in Mannheim silently marks one stage of this momentous journey. It reminds us of Bertha’s audacity and foresight, which played a crucial role in shaping the future of transportation. The next time you pass a gas station, remember Bertha Benz and her courageous act at Km 17, forever etched in the annals of automotive history.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to